Tuesday, February 6, 2018

(Dover AirForce Base) Members of the 436th Security Forces Squadron, military working
dogs and their handlers formed outside the veterinary clinic Jan. 24, 2018, at
Dover AFB for Rico’s “last call.” The eight-year veteran military working dog
had been suffering from canine degenerative myelopathy for the last few months,
and the decision was made to lay him to rest.“It’s hard to describe the loss I feel,” said Tech. Sgt.
Matthew Salter, 436th SFS kennel master and Rico’s first handler. “I know Rico
is in a better place and is running around again finding bombs and biting bad
guys, but it’s also sad because my partner isn’t around for me to see whenever
I need that look he would give. He had a way of saying ‘get up dad, time to
work.’”

Rico retired
from service as a MWD in January 2016 and for the past two years lived as the
family pet of his last handler, Jason Spangenberg. Before that, Spangenberg and
Rico tore up Afghanistan, both earning the bronze star for their selfless
service detecting more than 100 pounds of explosive material on more than 100
combat missions over a four-month period in 2013. The two also trained more
than 300 Afghan local police officers on counter improvised explosive device
tactics and techniques.

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Members of the 436th Security Forces Squadron say farewell to retired military working 🐶 Rico as his former @USAirForce handler carries him to the veterinary clinic. Rico was suffering from a spinal cord disease. We thank him for his dedicated service. pic.twitter.com/02YgcKChhv